Coronavirus

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. He is quite right: we are through the peak, but we must not be remotely complacent... Can he appreciate the hurt that has led to care home providers today describing those comments as 'clumsy and cowardly'? Will he take this opportunity now to apologise for the Prime Minister’s crass remarks?

Last week, the Regius Chair of Medicine at Oxford University, Professor Sir John Bell... Now is his chance to delight not just Sir John Bell, but 1.4 million people in the NHS, by saying that from the start of next month, they too can have weekly testing. Will he do that?

I welcome the fact that the UK Government website has now been corrected to add the 80,000 missing covid cases in England... Does the Secretary of State consider that level acceptable? Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland are following covid elimination strategies...

Will my right hon. Friend give any encouragement that beauty salons will be allowed to open in the reasonably near future? Does he share my concern and disappointment that even though campsites are allowed to reopen, the company in charge of those in the New Forest is threatening to keep them closed until spring next year?

The Secretary of State’s comments on Sunday, suggesting that Greater Manchester public health colleagues needed help in interpreting pillar 2 data from centrally contracted private labs, was insulting. Public health teams and care home staff do not need help but timely, patient-identifiable, complete data. The Government should announce local thresholds for easing and reinstating lockdowns as other countries have done. Will the Secretary of State apologise for patronising remarks?

We will work together with local authorities, local Mayors, and areas, including Manchester. The Government is keen to work collegiately and together without a divisive approach. We do not have thresholds for changes to local lockdowns but apply judgment based on consultation with local areas. Sharing of data has been acknowledged as improving.

Are there more steps we can take to help dental practices struggling with fewer patients and increased costs for PPE? Many local dental practices are telling me they will struggle financially until volumes return to normal.

Dentists on NHS contracts have had those contracts paid even when routine dentistry was not open. We are working with dentists and their representatives to ensure high-quality, safe dentistry while ensuring financial sustainability.

Does the Health Secretary agree with the Prime Minister’s comments blaming care workers for the death toll in care homes or will he admit that his Government's failings left carers without protective clothing, sick pay, and fighting a losing battle against the virus?

The admiration for those who work in social care is second to none. The crisis has shown how valued they are right across social care.

Cancer takes lives far too early, including that of my father. The pandemic made it very difficult for people to access necessary treatment due to the actions taken against coronavirus. Will everything be done to ensure those who need cancer treatment get it soon?

We are putting enormous effort into getting cancer treatment services up and running. People must come forward if they suspect a cancerous lump and call their GP or go to the hospital.

It is vital to prepare health services for the possibility of a second wave while reopening normal health services. What estimate has he made of the additional funding required for the NHS between now and the end of 2020?

We are putting more money into the NHS and have put in an extra £30 billion over the crisis thus far.

Could the Secretary of State remind us how big an increase there has been in intensive care capacity? Could we have isolation hospitals for another surge, allowing other hospitals to continue their work?

We have doubled the intensive care capacity alongside the Nightingale. We have green and blue areas in hospitals or whole hospitals depending on geography.

What is the current level of funding for research projects into the long-term effects of covid-19 funded from the National Institute for Health Research?

The NHS has opened a long-term covid impact service on the health side. We have put £8.4 million into a research call and will be happy to expand it if we get worthwhile projects.

What advice and guidance has been developed for shielded adults who have children of school age? The earlier such advice is developed, the less unnecessary anxiety there will be for these parents during the holidays.

We are glad that the restrictions on those who are shielding can be lifted and we will make sure the advice is very clear ahead of September, particularly with the full return of schools.

Day respite care centres provide support for people with dementia, learning difficulties and other complex needs. They are desperate to open as quickly as possible but cannot get free access to testing on the same basis as for care homes.

We have a project under way, and I will write to the hon. Member with full details of the plan to make testing available.

May I thank the people of Leicester for dealing with the local lockdown? When a local lockdown is announced, the people need two vital pieces of information: what the measures are and where the boundary is. What lessons has the Health Secretary learned from the Leicester lockdown?

We managed to publish the boundary overnight, within about 12 hours of the decision being publicised. Ensuring that we have both the actions and the boundary ready as soon as possible is critical.

Asked about reopening swimming pools and bowling alleys in her constituency.

Pressed the Government to urgently publish a national cancer recovery plan and meet Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss it.

Highlighted the suffering of vascular patients due to delayed treatment caused by covid-19 and asked for plans to address this backlog.

Asked for reassurances regarding high infection rates in Rotherham and its safety for businesses and residents.

Inquired about the value of the contract awarded to Clipper Logistics for PPE delivery and how many items had been delivered.

Expressed gratitude towards care home workers, highlighted the need for overseas nurses to catch up on nursing shortages, and asked for an extension of qualification periods due to closed test centres.

Asked about strategies to find asymptomatic carriers, emphasising the importance of testing everyone rather than just symptomatic individuals.

Inquired about why a contract with Deloitte for covid-19 testing does not require reporting positive cases to Public Health England or local authorities.

Praised careworkers in his constituency and asked the Secretary of State to support North Yorkshire County Council dealing with care homes where evidence showed unacceptable levels of care.

Asked if the UK Government's strategy for covid-19 is centred on elimination rather than suppression, citing Professor Michael Baker's opinion.

Asked the Minister to outline how the covid-secure guidance from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is helping to support NHS test, track and trace efforts.

Explained that the policies implemented have allowed for a safer reopening of hospitality venues like pubs. Mentioned his visit to a pub where contact information was collected, showing compliance with social distancing measures.

Asked about current scientific understanding regarding the risks of a second wave and when we might be most at risk.

Inquired about engagement with the beauty industry, noting its economic significance. Questioned why hairdressers and pubs are open but not beauty salons.

Acknowledged a visit to St Giles School where he received a cloth face covering for use when travelling to Parliament. Called for clear guidance on the use of such coverings versus formal PPE masks.

Inquired about the categorisation of professionals in the aesthetics industry alongside strip clubs, asking for urgent review to understand how NHS patients are referred to these services.

Raised concerns regarding unclear guidance at the start of the crisis for care homes, PPE shortages, and hospital discharges without testing. Criticised the Prime Minister’s comments as giving offence.

Asked about additional resources to protect and sustain cancer care services in case of further waves of the pandemic.

Concerned about public engagement with long-term health service planning while still emerging from a pandemic. Sought assurance that big decisions are not being made at this distracted time.

Inquired about the increase in anti-vaccination sentiment and its implications for achieving immunity through a potential covid-19 vaccine.

Suggested a comprehensive review of Public Health England to learn lessons and improve future crisis responses.

Asked the Minister to share best practices for reopening pubs safely, suggesting Welsh Government could follow English model.

He reminded the Secretary of State about HIV/AIDS, mentioning the impact of the coronavirus on people with HIV in terms of mental health, access to treatment, and disproportionate effects on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. He asked what support has been provided for those affected by HIV.

He expressed concerns about the impact of lockdowns on mental health, noting that people are more anxious to seek help and worried about a lack of early intervention for vulnerable individuals. He sought reassurance from the Minister regarding mental health support being part of the NHS “Open for business” campaign.

He highlighted initial findings indicating that women between 30 and 59 in Bedford have been most affected by the virus. He urged the Secretary of State to remind everyone that younger people are also vulnerable, especially noting the importance of publishing data on ethnicity, age groups, and workplace factors.

He commended the Secretary of State for considering the impact of coronavirus on parents of premature and sick babies. He asked for a meeting to ensure support is provided to these families.

He highlighted the importance of screening programmes in keeping people healthy, urging the Secretary of State to ensure that leaders focus on getting these services back up to full speed after being affected by the pandemic.

He mentioned a 'Panorama' programme showing potential cancer deaths due to delayed treatments. He proposed expanding radiotherapy operations around the country, especially this summer, to clear backlogs and provide hope for those in need.

He expressed gratitude for temporary and permanent testing sites but noted that capacity exceeds demand. He asked about making testing available faster for groups like teachers and members of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities who need reassurance.